Soldier On : An Autobiography

Peter Davies Limited, London, 1974 reprint of 1973 first edition. Cloth, 8vo, 24 cm,. xi, 180, [20] pages of ills. From the blurb: "Few men in any sphere of public life are so respected and loved as Colonel Sir Michael Ansell. Chairman of the British Show-Jumping Association and of the British Horse Society for some twenty-five years and now President of the British Equestrian Federation, he has done more than any other single man to make Britain one of the leading equestrian nations in the world, and to stimulate the ever-growing interest in riding as a competitive and leisure sport. 'Colonel Mike' is a familiar figure at the Horse of the Year Show and at the Royal International Horse Show, both of which he directs with unparalleled style and efficiency, and which have, under his guidance, become two of the most widely viewed and spectacular sporting events of the year. But the promotion of show-jumping is only one activity in the life of this remarkable man. In June, 1940, when Colonel Mike had just been awarded the D.S.O. and was the youngest Commanding Officer in the Army, disaster struck: he was blinded in a hail of bullets at St Valéry. The way he has overcome this handicap, and other more heartbreaking losses, is the inspiring theme of this book. For Colonel Mike has never failed to 'soldier on' in the face of adversities that would have broken lesser men. Very Good in price-clipped and badly torn dustwrapper.